front lunge alternatives

calendria · 01-03-14, 04:02 AM

does anyone have an alternative for front lunges? these REALLy hurt myknees.

Taramisu · 01-03-14, 06:14 AM

I do either a stationary (in place) lunge or reverse lunge instead of forward lunges. I never do forward lunges anymore, haven't for years. I never liked forward lunges anyway to be honest.

Try one of those and see if that helps. I find that it's a really good modification for me.

AZY · 01-03-14, 07:49 AM

What tiramisu said, or box squats double or single legs - just getting up from tall box - helps me target glutes much better and take emphasis off knee/quad.
Cheers, AY

lreidgreen · 01-03-14, 09:56 AM

I third the reverse lunge suggestion. Much easier on my knees.

calendria · 01-03-14, 12:19 PM

thanx all. I deeply appreciate it.

Jane P. · 01-03-14, 12:58 PM

I lunge onto a step at least 6 inches high. That makes all the difference for me. For some reason, I find backward lunges much harder than front ones for my body.

cherimac · 01-03-14, 12:58 PM

I often use part of my Fanny Lifter/tall step or my Transfirmer on incline. I think it makes the execution of forward lunges easier.

bzar · 01-03-14, 01:01 PM

if you have a ramp, have the ramp face you, and lunge onto that.

if not, you can place a low stool and lunge "onto" that BUT don't do a "step up" on it where you lift your other foot off the ground - keep the other foot grounded. to get the benefit of the working leg/foot, contract the glute of the working leg and be sure any emphasis is on your heel.

and most important:

keep working knee from protruding past your heel. that's what causes knee pain.

lotusgirl · 01-03-14, 06:29 PM

Front lunges aren't comfortable for me, but if I have the space, I do walking lunges - they don't stress my knees.

Eibhinn · 01-03-14, 11:46 PM

I have no idea why, but front lunges are also uncomfortable for me. I've worked on my form, but unless I do them extremely slowly and carefully, they bother my knees. I finally decided that the problem wasn't with me, it was with the move (for me), so I've stopped doing them. Rather, like most people here, whenever front lunges show up in a workout I sub rear lunges.

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01-03-14, 04:02 AM
calendria Join Date: Jun 2005	front lunge alternatives does anyone have an alternative for front lunges? these REALLy hurt myknees.

01-03-14, 06:14 AM
Taramisu VF Supporter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NA	I do either a stationary (in place) lunge or reverse lunge instead of forward lunges. I never do forward lunges anymore, haven't for years. I never liked forward lunges anyway to be honest. Try one of those and see if that helps. I find that it's a really good modification for me.

01-03-14, 07:49 AM
AZY VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Raleigh, NC	What tiramisu said, or box squats double or single legs - just getting up from tall box - helps me target glutes much better and take emphasis off knee/quad. Cheers, AY

01-03-14, 09:56 AM
lreidgreen VF Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey	I third the reverse lunge suggestion. Much easier on my knees.

01-03-14, 12:19 PM
calendria Join Date: Jun 2005	thanx all. I deeply appreciate it.

01-03-14, 12:58 PM
Jane P. VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Colorado Springs	I lunge onto a step at least 6 inches high. That makes all the difference for me. For some reason, I find backward lunges much harder than front ones for my body. __________________ "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." Leo Tolstoy

01-03-14, 12:58 PM
cherimac Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Georgia	I often use part of my Fanny Lifter/tall step or my Transfirmer on incline. I think it makes the execution of forward lunges easier. __________________ Cheri

01-03-14, 01:01 PM
bzar Exchange Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: PalmTreeVille	if you have a ramp, have the ramp face you, and lunge onto that. if not, you can place a low stool and lunge "onto" that BUT don't do a "step up" on it where you lift your other foot off the ground - keep the other foot grounded. to get the benefit of the working leg/foot, contract the glute of the working leg and be sure any emphasis is on your heel. and most important: keep working knee from protruding past your heel. that's what causes knee pain. __________________ ~jeannine Miyagi: Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] ~ Pat Morita, The Karate Kid, 1984 disclosure: in the years 2002-2004 i had a professional relationship with a distributor of fitness videos; see profile.

01-03-14, 06:29 PM
lotusgirl Join Date: Jan 2011	Front lunges aren't comfortable for me, but if I have the space, I do walking lunges - they don't stress my knees. __________________ ~ I've learned that two steps forward, one step back, is still progress. ~

01-03-14, 11:46 PM
Eibhinn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada	I have no idea why, but front lunges are also uncomfortable for me. I've worked on my form, but unless I do them extremely slowly and carefully, they bother my knees. I finally decided that the problem wasn't with me, it was with the move (for me), so I've stopped doing them. Rather, like most people here, whenever front lunges show up in a workout I sub rear lunges.